Publication Date
631- 57 / 1233- 59
Publication Place
-
British Museum
Subject
Engraved brass and inlaid with silver.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع 10.2 سم؛ القطر عند القاعدة 11 سم، عند الغطاء 8.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1878.12-30.674
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus01;11;ar
Library Location
British Museum
Date
631- 57 / 1233- 59
Notes
A cylindrical brass box with a hinged lid inlaid with silver decoration. On the circular edge of the cover are designs in the form of braids around the edge, and four ducks with their necks turned back to form a knot in the centre. The body of the box is decorated with a series of quatrefoil medallions alternating with arabesque formations and figurative decorations surrounded by geometric shapes. There is an inscription in Arabic on the edge of the cover that says: Glory be to our master Atabek, the merciful king, the learned, the just, the supporter, the muzaffar, the mansur, the mujahid, the ruler, the Badr of the world, the religion, Lulu’ Hussam, the prince of the believers. Badr al-Din appointed an atabeg (which in Turkish means “the master, the father”) of three of the Zengid princes from the year 615-31/1218-33. The Atabegs were initially protectors or teachers of the princes of the dynasty. Seljuk, and their power increased at a time when the Seljuk authority weakened. In 631/1233 Badr al-Din Lulu became an independent ruler and assumed the title of “King al-Rahim” after receiving an official tradition from the Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir. Badr al-Din Lulu was an active patron of metallurgical industries. Five inlaid metal pieces bear his name, which still exist today. Although the inlay technique was inspired by the East, the decorative patterns and shapes of the vessels were derived from local models.
Sample Text
Emily Shovelton “Brass Box” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus01;11;ar
